Stem Cells (Cell Structure)

Question 1

Advantages of Embryonic Stem Cell

Answer 1

Easy to extract from embryo
Produces any type of cell = omnipotent

Question 2

Disadvantages of an Embryonic Stem Cell

Answer 2

Embryo destroyed when cells are removed - embryos have the right to live?

Question 3

Advantages of Adult Stem Cells

Answer 3

If taken from the person to be treated, it will not cause rejection by the body

No embryo is destroyed - not an ethical issue

Question 4

Disadvantages of Adult Stem Cells

Answer 4

Produces only few types of cells = multi potent
Difficult to find and extract from tissue

Question 5

Advantages of Both

Answer 5

Replaced faulty cells with healthy cells, so the person is well again

Question 6

Disadvantages of Both

Answer 6

May produce cancer cells instead of healthy cells
Is used in treatment, the body could recognise the cells ‘foreign’ and reject them without the use of immunosuppressant drugs